Tackleball

ABSTRACT

A method and a court for playing a sporting match are provided. The court includes a springboard floor in a generally rectangular shape. A wall surrounds the floor and has a lower portion of padded material and an upper portion of transparent material. Sidelines and baselines are disposed around the periphery of the floor. Tackle zones is disposed between the base lines and the sidelines. An o-zone is in the center of the floor. A pair of goals are on opposing sides of the court, each goal comprising a backboard, central hoop, and two backboard goals defined by the backboard. Aa pair of goalie boxes are disposed on opposing sides of the court under each of the goals. Pairs of three-, four-, and five-point lines disposed on opposite sides of the floor. Penalty boxes disposed in the wall.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/750,971, filed Oct. 26, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a method and a court for a sports game. More specifically, the present invention is a method for a game played with the objective of scoring more points than the opposing team.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a method for a new game played with the objective of scoring more points than the opposing team. With the major sporting leagues constantly looking to expand internationally, new types of sporting matches are attractive an enable more effective optimization of U.S. and international markets not currently served by professional sports teams.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a court for playing a sporting match is provided. The court includes a springboard floor in a generally rectangular shape. A wall surrounds the floor and has a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion is made of a padded material and the upper portion is made from a transparent material. Sidelines are disposed around the periphery of the floor. Base lines are disposed around the periphery of the floor. Tackle zones are disposed around a periphery of the floor, the tackle zones being defined as the space between the base lines and the sidelines. An o-zone is in the center of the floor. A pair of goals are disposed on opposing sides of the court, each goal comprising a backboard, central hoop, and two backboard goals defined by the backboard. A pair of goalie boxes are disposed on opposing sides of the court under each of the goals. A pair of three-point lines disposed on the floor. A pair of four-point lines disposed on the floor. A pair of five-point lines disposed on the floor. A pair of penalty boxes are disposed in the wall.

In one embodiment, the four-point line is one foot further from the goal than the three-point line and the five-point line is two further from the goal than the three-point line.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a method of playing a sports game is provided. Step (a) provides a court, the court including a springboard floor in a generally rectangular shape. A wall surrounds the floor and has a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion is made of a padded material and the upper portion is made from a transparent material. Sidelines are disposed around the periphery of the floor. Base lines are disposed around the periphery of the floor. Tackle zones are disposed around a periphery of the floor, the tackle zones being defined as the space between the base lines and the sidelines. An o-zone is in the center of the floor. A pair of goals are disposed on opposing sides of the court, each goal comprising a backboard, central hoop, and two backboard goals defined by the backboard. A pair of goalie boxes are disposed on opposing sides of the court under each of the goals. A pair of three-point lines disposed on the floor. A pair of four-point lines disposed on the floor. A pair of five-point lines disposed on the floor. A pair of penalty boxes are disposed in the wall. Step (b) provides two opposing teams, each team comprising six position players, said position players comprising two guards, two forwards, a big and a goal protector, each team further comprising a predetermined number of backup players. Step (c) provides four time periods of fifteen minutes. Step (d) provides a basketball. Step (e) alternates offensive and defensive opportunities for each team by possession of the basketball, possession shifting from one team to the other after a turnover or scoring a goal, said turnover occurring when a player loses possession of the basketball and said basketball is recovered by the other team, and wherein scoring a goal includes shooting the basketball through one of the hoops or backboard goals. Step (f) awards one point for shooting the ball through one of the backboard goals, two points for a shot into the hoop from in front of the three-point line, three-points for a shot between the three-point line and the four-point line, five points for a shot behind the five-point line, and three points for a contested dunk. Step (g) permits limited contact between players. Step (h) penalizes contact with the dribbler that affects flow, wherein penalizing results in the player spending a predetermined time in the penalty box. Step (i) awards a defensive player possession if the defensive player forces an offensive player out of play or against the wall for more than three seconds. Step (j) permits the tackle of a player if the player picks up a dribble or enters the tackle zone. Step (k) permits the goal protector to block an offensive player from shooting into the hoop or backboard goals while the goal protector is within the goalie box. Step (1) sends a player to a penalty box if contact rules are violated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals and, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a court in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a goal in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of a court in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of a method of playing a game in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

The images in the drawings are simplified for illustrative purposes and are not depicted to scale. Within the descriptions of the figures, similar elements are provided similar names and reference numerals as those of the previous figure(s). The specific numerals assigned to the elements are provided solely to aid in the description and are not meant to imply any limitations (structural or functional) on the invention.

The appended drawings illustrate exemplary configurations of the invention and, as such, should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention that may admit to other equally effective configurations. It is contemplated that features of one configuration may be beneficially incorporated in other configurations without further recitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For a further understanding of the nature and function of the embodiments, reference should be made to the following detailed description. Detailed descriptions of the embodiments are provided herein, as well as, the best mode of carrying out and employing the present invention. It will be readily appreciated that the embodiments are well adapted to carry out and obtain the ends and features mentioned as well as those inherent herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following disclosure is illustrative only and not in any way limiting, as the specific details disclosed herein provide a basis for the claims and a representative basis for teaching to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. It should be understood that the devices, materials, methods, procedures, and techniques described herein are presently representative of various embodiments. Other embodiments of the disclosure will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure.

As used herein, “axis” means a real or imaginary straight line about which a three-dimensional body is symmetrical. A “vertical axis” means an axis perpendicular to the ground (or put another way, an axis extending upwardly and downwardly). A “horizontal axis” means an axis parallel to the ground.

As used herein, homogeneous is defined as the same in all locations, and a homogeneous material is a material of uniform composition throughout that cannot be mechanically separated into different materials. Examples of “homogeneous materials” are certain types of plastics, ceramics, glass, metals, alloys, paper, board, resins, high-density polyethylene and rubber.

The present invention is a method and court for a sports game 100. Referring to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, a court 101 for playing a sporting match is provided. The court 100 has a springboard vinyl floor 102 in a generally rectangular shape. In some embodiments, the court 102 will be made of canvas, dirt, turf, wrestling canvas, or any suitable material for allowing players to safely tackle each other while also providing a surface suitable for dribbling a ball. A plurality of spring mechanisms 103 may be positioned under the floor 102 to spring load the floor, as illustrated in FIG. 3. A wall 104 surrounds the floor and has a lower portion 106 and an upper portion 108. The lower portion 106 is preferably made of a padded material to absorb impact of player contact. The upper portion 108 is preferably made from a transparent material to enable spectators to see into the court 100 during a match. Embodiments of the outer perimeter of the court 101 include five-foot wall padding, six foot six inch padding, or any suitable height. An additional five to ten feet of glass or plexiglass, for example, may be positioned above the wall padding. An optional netting above glass may be installed depending on the venue. The game can be played indoors or outdoors and is played with a basketball. In some embodiments, balls other than basketballs may be used, such as a soccer ball, a volleyball, or a new ball developed for the game, so long as to allow a player to dribble the ball and shoot it into the goal.

A plurality of sidelines 110 surround the periphery of the floor 102. A periphery of base lines 112 surround the periphery of the floor 102. A plurality of tackle zones 114 are disposed around the periphery of the floor 102 between the baselines 112 and sidelines 110. An o-zone 116 is disposed in the center of the floor 102. A pair of goals 118 are positioned at the ends of opposing sides of the court 100. Each goal 118 comprises a backboard 120, central hoop 122, and two backboard goals 124 defined by the backboard 120. The goal 118 may be nine or teen feet from the floor 102. A pair of goalie boxes 126 are positioned at the end of opposing sides of the court 100 under each of the goals 118. Preferably, the hoop 122 is eighteen inches. The backboard 120 is preferably seventy-five inch by forty-four-inch glass. In one embodiment, the backboard 120 defines two two-foot by two-foot backboard goals 124, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

A pair of three-point lines 128 are positioned at opposing ends of the floor 102, each placed at a predetermined distance from one of the respective goals 118. A pair of four-point lines 130 are positioned at opposing ends of the floor 102, each placed at a predetermined distance from the respective goals 118. A pair of five-point lines 132 are positioned at opposing ends the floor 102, each placed a predetermined distance from the respective goals 118. Preferably, the four-point line 130 is one foot further from the goal 128 than the three-point line 128 and the five-point line is two feet further from the goal 128 than the three-point line 128. In one embodiment, the three-point line 128 extends around and includes the sidelines 100, while the four-point line 130 and five-point line 132 end at the sidelines 100. Although not shown, it is anticipated that additional point lines or scoring zones may be added and incorporated into the game. A pair of penalty boxes 134 are disposed in the wall 104. As illustrated in the embodiment in FIG. 1, the penalty boxes 134 are behind each goal 118.

A method 200 of playing the game is provided. Step (a) 202 provides a court, the court including a springboard floor in a generally rectangular shape. A wall surrounds the floor and has a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion is made of a padded material and the upper portion is made from a transparent material. Sidelines are disposed around the periphery of the floor. Base lines are disposed around the periphery of the floor. Tackle zones are disposed around a periphery of the floor, the tackle zones being defined as the space between the base lines and the sidelines. An o-zone is in the center of the floor. A pair of goals are disposed on opposing sides of the court, each goal comprising a backboard, central hoop, and two backboard goals defined by the backboard. A pair of goalie boxes are disposed on opposing sides of the court under each of the goals. A pair of three-point lines disposed on the floor. A pair of four-point lines disposed on the floor. A pair of five-point lines disposed on the floor. A pair of penalty boxes are disposed in the wall. Step (b) 204 provides two opposing teams, each team comprising six position players, said position players comprising two guards, two forwards, a big and a goal protector, each team further comprising a predetermined number of backup players. Step (c) 206 provides four time periods of fifteen minutes. Step (d) 208 provides a basketball. Step (e) 210 alternates offensive and defensive opportunities for each team by possession of the basketball, possession shifting from one team to the other after a turnover or scoring a goal, said turnover occurring when a player loses possession of the basketball and said basketball is recovered by the other team, and wherein scoring a goal includes shooting the basketball through one of the hoops or backboard goals. Step (f) 212 awards one point for shooting the ball through one of the backboard goals, two points for a shot into the hoop from in front of the three-point line, three-points for a shot between the three-point line and the four-point line, five points for a shot behind the five-point line, and three points for a contested dunk. Step (g) 214 permits limited contact between players. Step (h) 216 penalizes contact with the dribbler that affects flow, wherein penalizing results in the player spending a predetermined time in the penalty box. Step (i) 218 awards a defensive player possession if the defensive player forces an offensive player out of play or against the wall for more than three seconds. Step (j) 220 permits the tackle of a player if the player picks up a dribble or enters the tackle zone. Step (k) 222 permits the goal protector to block an offensive player from shooting into the hoop or backboard goals while the goal protector is within the goalie box. Step (1) 224 sends a player to a penalty box if contact rules are violated.

An overview of one method of playing the game 100 between two opposing teams is provided. In one embodiment, there are four 15-minute periods. 10-minute periods, or any other suitable duration, may also be used. Each team is given four timeouts per half, with the first half being the first two 15-minute periods and the second half being the last two 15-minute periods. Timeouts may be 15, 30, or 60 seconds, for example. During the game, 6 players from each team are on the field and in play. Each team has 25 players per team, thus having 19 in reserve.

In one embodiment, field positions include two shooters, two forwards, a big, and a goal protector. The forwards are typically the most versatile players, often playing wing and fast break opportunities. The big is typically the tallest player and largest responsibility being to protect the low post. The goal protector is to protect the goal during play within the goalie boxes 126. Teams are encouraged to use the skillsets and physical traits of the players at these various positions to their distinct advantage. With the exception of the goal protector, the players are not restricted to any particular zone or field of play.

At the start of the game, the home team shoots for the ball. If that player makes the shot, the home team will decide between which quarters they will start each period. If that player misses that shot, the opposing team will choose.

The goal protector is restricted to end line tackle zone 114 and goalie box 126 under goal 118. If the goal protector steps outside the goalie box, his ability to contact an opposing player is limited. Penalties are two minutes for the first offense and the remainder of the quarter if two offenses occur in the same quarter. In one embodiment, if a player commits five offenses, the player will be benched for the remainder of the game without sub. At all times that the goal protector is benched, the team must play without a goal protector. During play, a goal protector can reject, block, or grab any ball headed for the goals on each side of the goal 118.

The objective of each team is to score more points than the opposing team in order to win the game. A variety of scoring methods are available to each team. One point is awarded for throwing the ball through either of the backboard goals 124. Two points are awarded for shooting the ball through the hoop 122 in front of the three-point line. Three points, four points, and five points are awarded for shooting the ball through the hoop 122 from behind the respective lines. An offensive team has 30 seconds to score and or hit the rim by shooting. A defensive team may stop the offensive team with force.

An offensive player has 10 seconds to reach the ozone or half court line. If an offensive player picks up his dribble, he opens himself up to be tackled. Once an offensive player picks up his dribble, he must throw the ball off the glass located on base or sideline to reestablish dribble, which is limited to two per possession. Once an offensive player picks up his dribble he can only shoot, pass, or advance the ball with the threat of being tackled. An offensive player can use off shoulder and forearm when dribble is picked up to keep defensive player at distance. Once an offensive player enters a tackle zone 114, he can be tackled, regardless of whether he is dribbling or not. A sacrifice is a physical contact assist, where a player sacrifices his body for the play. One hard screen is allowed if the player keeps his feet flat on ground. A player can touch end line glass after a score to resume play.

The offensive player can utilize the glass to reestablish dribble. An offensive player must be given 3 seconds to put ball down to dribble. An offensive player can be tackled on a jump shot if he leaves his feet and or if the ball is raised above his neck. If offensive player is tackled, the defensive player's team is awarded one point. The offensive team is allowed two bounces of either end line or sideline glass to reestablish dribble. An offensive player can use off shoulder and forearm when dribble is picked up to keep defensive player at distance. No contact to the head is permitted.

With respect to defense, no more than two defensive players are permitted in the goalie box per opponent possession. A defensive player that forces an opposing player from the tackle zones or sidelines into the pads or keeps offensive player out of play for more than 3 seconds is awarded possession. At any point when there is a change of possession, the player only has to throw ball of the glass to continue play. A forced turnover will be totaled in a player's stat line. A defensive player can kick the ball to prevent a pass from reaching another player. Only the player guarding the offensive player with the ball and the goal protector can tackle inside of the tackle zone. The officials have the discretion to enforce standard contact rules between players during a game.

The ozone 116 is preferably a 4-foot by 4-foot circle at center court used to allow the offense to set up when not on a fast break. A player can pick up his dribble and is safe from being tackled in the ozone 116. The tackle zones 114 are the areas, preferably 2-foot areas, immediately adjacent to baselines 112. If a player enters tackle zones 114 while dribbling, he can be tackled or forced out of play or against padded walls.

During the game 100, a player can substitute at any time, except for the final 2 minutes of a game. To substitute a player must contact a player by slapping hands. Substituting player must remain near a team's bench, preferably behind one of the goals 118. If a player is hurt on a play on offense and needs substitution, the offensive team must wait for the official to call an injury timeout on the next offensive possession. No undercutting or intentionally hurting is permitted, including placing feet under a player intentionally on a jump shot or other play. These violations will lead to an automatic ejection, possible suspension, and/or potential ban for life.

Players are not permitted to hang from the hoop or either side goals. Players are not permitted to intentionally trip an opposing player and may be benched per an official's discretion. No intentional blows to the head or swinging of the elbows are permitted and may be benched per an official's discretion. Picking up dribble and running with the ball without dribbling are all allowed.

Ten seconds are allowed to advance the ball to half court or safe zone and only five seconds are permitted in the safe zone. No tackling from behind is permitted. The backboard cannot be intentionally used to reestablish dribble, or a player may be benched per an official.

Contact while offensive player is dribbling that does not affect the flow of the game can be handled one of three ways. If the offensive player does not lose momentum, the official can ignore or warn the defensive player while resuming play, raising his or her hands clapping to indicate minimal contact. If the offensive player does lose momentum but does not lose possession, the official can make the same gesture but point to the player and sit him for 3 offensive possessions returning on defense. If the defensive player contacts the offensive player while dribbling and the offensive player loses possession, then the official will penalize the player with bench time. No substitutions can be made for a player during bench time. Penalties are two minutes for the first offense and the remainder of the quarter if two offenses occur in the same quarter. Any more than four is disqualification and possible suspension moving forward. This rule allows for official discretion. Any live time benching that is not immediately followed can lead to a player being disqualified for the remainder of the game. If a defensive player trying to tackle is engaged and the tackler is not eligible to make contact, the player can be benched. Penalties are two minutes for the first offense and the remainder of the quarter if two offenses occur in the same quarter. Any more than four is disqualification and possible suspension.

A screen can be set anywhere with exception of the goalie box surrounding the hoop. An offensive player can use screen to the right or to the left but cannot reverse the opposite way once used. If a defensive player is to switch who they are defending they must raise their right arm to indicate that. Only one screen per offensive possession. A defensive player fighting through a screen can use their forearms to push through. Contact to the head can result in automatic bench time at the official's discretion. Any holding on a screen can result in points to the opposing team and possession. No players may intentionally use a teammate for leverage. The officials have discretion to enforce the rule more heavily in the tackle zone surrounding the goal than other areas. Scrum (or pile up) is grappling or fighting for possession of the ball where no player has possession and momentum is lost. If a scrum develops for longer than 3 seconds a direction arrow will dictate possession, once the official indicates which team will receive possession. That team must utilize the nearest glass touch it to resume play.

At the end of each period, the team trailing has an opportunity to tie the game. At the end of the first quarter the trailing team will shoot a 3-point shot. Each quarter after, the trailing team will shoot anywhere they choose outside the 3-point line. If the trailing team makes the final period game tying shot, then a shootout will commence.

In a shootout at the end of regulation, the team ahead at the end of regulation chooses which team shoots first from the three-point line. If the trailing team makes the final game winning shot at the end of regulation, the winning team decides who shoots first and a shootout commences. If both teams make their three-point shots, both teams will move back to the four-point line. If both teams make it again, they will move back to the five-point line. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, the home team gets the opportunity to win the game with one shot, except for playoff games which will be decided by a shootout. If a team is trailing all four periods, they will not be awarded a game tying shot at the end of regulation. If each team makes both shots after being tied, the shootout will move back to the four-point line, then five-point line if the shootout continues.

In a fast break situation, if the defensive team is outnumbered due to players being sent to the penalty box, then calling out a defensive player is not necessary assuming the players stay in front of the offensive player.

Accidental contact will be enforced by how it affects the flow of the game. If two players accidently collide, it is at the officials' discretion to determine how to proceed. If two players collide and the offensive player falls holding possession, a direction arrow will determine who retains possession. Contact away from the ball will be determined at the discretion of the official and treated regarding how and if it affects the progress of the game. If two or more individuals engage in physical contact away from the ball and it is a distraction and or interrupts the game, the official shall bench or disqualify one or more of the players involved.

Over and back violations are only enforced if a player intentionally goes back over and or the ball is dead for longer than three seconds in the space located on either sideline where the goal protector cannot reach. No player can stop the progress of a ball on its way to the hoop when that ball is on the way down. If a player does stop the progress on the way down to the hoop, an official can bench a player and award the offensive team the ball. If a defensive player stands still in the way of an offensive player during a screen, and the offensive player still has his or her dribble, that player opens themselves up to bench time if he impedes progress by the offensive player.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, this specific language intends no limitation of the scope of the invention, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the system (and components of the individual operating components of the system) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections may be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A court for playing a sporting match, comprising: a springboard floor in a generally rectangular shape; a wall surrounding the floor, said wall having a lower portion and an upper portion, said lower portion made of a padded material, said upper portion made from a transparent material; a plurality of sidelines around the periphery of the floor; a periphery of base lines around the periphery of the floor; a plurality of tackle zones disposed around a periphery of the floor, said tackle zones defined as the space between the base lines and the sidelines; an o-zone in the center of the floor; a pair of goals disposed on opposing sides of the court, each goal comprising a backboard, central hoop, and two backboard goals defined by the backboard; a pair of goalie boxes disposed on opposing sides of the court under each of the goals; a pair of three-point lines disposed on the floor; a pair of four-point lines disposed on the floor; a pair of five-point lines disposed on the floor; and a pair of penalty boxes disposed in the wall.
 2. The court of claim 1, wherein the four-point line is one foot further from the goal than the three-point line.
 3. The court of claim 1, wherein the five-point line is two further from the goal than the three-point line.
 4. A method of playing a sports game, comprising: (a) providing a court, comprising: a springboard floor in a generally rectangular shape; a wall surrounding the floor, said wall having a lower portion and an upper portion, said lower portion made of a padded material, said upper portion made from a transparent material; a plurality of sidelines around the periphery of the floor; a periphery of base lines around the periphery of the floor; a plurality of tackle zones disposed around a periphery of the floor, said tackle zones defined as the space between the base lines and the sidelines; an o-zone in the center of the floor; a pair of goals disposed on opposing sides of the court, each goal comprising a backboard, central hoop, and two backboard goals defined by the backboard; a pair of goalie boxes disposed on opposing sides of the court under each of the goals; a pair of three-point lines disposed on the floor; a pair of four-point lines disposed on the floor; a pair of five-point lines disposed on the floor; and a pair of penalty boxes disposed in the wall; (b) providing two opposing teams, each team comprising six position players, said position players comprising two guards, two forwards, a big and a goal protector, each team further comprising a predetermined number of backup players; (c) providing four time periods of fifteen minutes; (d) providing a basketball; (e) alternating offensive and defensive opportunities for each team by possession of the basketball, possession shifting from one team to the other after a turnover or scoring a goal, said turnover occurring when a player loses possession of the basketball and said basketball is recovered by the other team, and wherein scoring a goal includes shooting the basketball through one of the hoops or backboard goals; (f) awarding one point for shooting the ball through one of the backboard goals, two points for a shot into the hoop from in front of the three-point line, three-points for a shot between the three-point line and the four-point line, five points for a shot behind the five-point line, and three points for a contested dunk; (g) permitting limited contact between players; (h) penalizing contact with the dribbler that affects flow, wherein penalizing results in the player spending a predetermined time in the penalty box; (i) awarding a defensive player possession if the defensive player forces an offensive player out of play or against the wall for more than three seconds; (j) permitting the tackle of a player if the player picks up a dribble or enters the tackle zone; (k) permitting the goal protector to block an offensive player from shooting into the hoop or backboard goals while the goal protector is within the goalie box; and (1) sending a player to a penalty box if contact rules are violated. 